Buying guide · Subaru Outback
Best Rooftop Tents for the Subaru Outback
Our picks
On most Outbacks the driving limit is 150 lb on the crossbars, so tent weight decides everything.
Best tent for most Outbacks
Inspired Overland Trailpeak Rooftop Tent$1,899 at Inspired Overland
84 lb, the lightest tent we list with a published weight. That leaves about 66 lb of a 150 lb crossbar limit for the bars and mounts.
Best value
Front Runner Roof Top Tent$1,199 at Off Road Tents
93 lb for $1,199, which leaves about 57 lb of a 150 lb crossbar limit for bars and mounts. Weigh your bars before you buy; there's more room under the Wilderness's 220 lb driving limit.
Best rack for the Wilderness
Leitner Designs Over Cab Platform Rack for Subaru Outback$1,560 at Leitner Designs
Leitner makes it for the 2022–2025 Outback Wilderness and publishes 38 lb rack weight, 250 lb off-road dynamic and 1,000 lb static. Subaru's own 220 lb driving limit still applies, so that's your ceiling.
Best crossbars (2020+)
Thule WingBar Evo Cross Bars For Subaru Outback 2020+$509.90 at Off Road Tents
Thule WingBar Evo bars for 2020-and-later Outbacks, at $509.90. Check Thule's fit guide for the bar's own load rating before you mount a tent.
Picks are based on published specs and current prices, not hands-on testing. Prices change; each product page shows the latest.
On most Outbacks the limit is 150 lb. Subaru's 2025 Outback brochure gives a 150 lb maximum dynamic crossbar load for the Outback, Premium, Onyx Edition, Limited and Touring trims. That's the number for driving, and the tent, the crossbars and the mounts all have to fit under it.
The Wilderness is different. Subaru's 2024 owner's manual gives it 220 lb while driving, including crossbars and the tent, and 700 lb when parked on level ground with the load evenly distributed. That higher number covers the tent, its occupants and bedding, and only while the car isn't moving. The manual is clear that occupants come out before you drive, and that if the crossbar maker's rating is lower than Subaru's, the crossbar rating governs. For the 2026 Outback Wilderness, Subaru announced 800 lb static and 220 lb dynamic.
Tents that fit
Of the 40 rooftop tents in our catalog that publish a weight, 18 weigh 150 lb or less. The table shows what each leaves under the two driving limits, before you subtract crossbars and mounts.
Weigh your crossbars or check the bar maker's listing, and subtract them from the "left" figures above.
Bars and racks we list for the Outback
| Rack | Published rating | Rack weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thule WingBar Evo Cross Bars For Subaru Outback 2020+ | No dynamic rating published | n/a | $509.90 |
| Thule WingBar Evo Cross Bars For Subaru Outback Wilderness | No dynamic rating published | n/a | $509.90 |
| Thule WingBar Evo Cross Bars Subaru Outback 2015-2019 | No dynamic rating published | n/a | $704.85 |
| Leitner Designs Over Cab Platform Rack for Subaru Outback | 250 lb dynamic, 1,000 lb static | 38 lb | $1,560 |
Leitner's Over Cab platform is made for the 2022–2025 Outback Wilderness, and Leitner publishes its weight at 38 lb. That leaves about 182 lb of the Wilderness's 220 lb driving limit for the tent and anything else up there. Leitner's own rack ratings are higher than Subaru's, but Subaru's limit is the ceiling. Thule's WingBar Evo listings name the Outback years each one fits; check Thule's fit guide for the bar's own load rating before you mount a tent.
How to choose a tent for an Outback
Light beats big. On a regular Outback, a 120 lb tent on 15 lb of bars is already at 135 lb. The lightest tents we list, in the mid-80s to low-90s, are the ones that leave real headroom.
Rear-opening fits a wagon. The Outback's roof is long and low. A tent that opens off the back puts the ladder behind the car, out of the way of the doors, and a short ladder reaches. A side-opening tent works but puts the ladder by the rear door.
Wind and mileage. A tent on a low wagon roof is the tallest thing on the car. Expect more wind noise and some fuel economy loss. A low hardshell adds the least.
Don't forget the ladder footprint. On a soft shoulder or in sand, a ladder foot sinks. A small board under it helps.
What to avoid
- Tents with no published weight. On a 150 lb roof there's no room for guessing.
- Using the Wilderness's 700 lb (or 800 lb) figure for driving. It's the parked rating. Driving is 220 lb.
- Crossbars with a lower rating than the roof. The lowest number wins.
- Heavy recovery gear on the roof. Keep it inside; every pound up top comes out of the tent's budget.
FAQ
Can a Subaru Outback carry a rooftop tent?
A light one. Subaru's 2025 Outback brochure lists a 150 lb maximum dynamic crossbar load on the Outback, Premium, Onyx Edition, Limited and Touring trims. Tent, crossbars and mounts all count.
How much can the Outback Wilderness roof hold?
Subaru's 2024 owner's manual gives the Wilderness 220 lb while driving, including crossbars and tent, and 700 lb parked on level ground with the load evenly distributed. For the 2026 Outback Wilderness, Subaru announced 800 lb static and 220 lb dynamic.
Can people stay in the tent while the car moves?
No. Subaru's manual says to remove occupants before driving. The parked (static) rating only applies when the vehicle isn't moving.
Which crossbar rating applies?
The lowest. Subaru's manual notes that if the crossbar maker's rating is lower than Subaru's, the crossbar rating governs.
What about the Crosstrek or Forester?
We don't list Crosstrek-specific racks, so we haven't covered it here. For the Forester we list Thule WingBar Evo bars and a Leitner platform; check Subaru's manual for its roof limits.
Sources
- https://www.subaru.com/content/dam/subaru/downloads/pdf/brochures/2025/2025_Outback_Brochure_071524.pdf
- https://viewer.joomag.com/subaru-outback-manuals-2024-outback-owners-manual/0713717001686603825/p478
- https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/subaru-debuts-all-new-2026-outback-wilderness-suv-with-aggressive-new-design-language-upgraded-suspension-and-trail-ready-performance-302428765.html
- https://offroadtents.com/products/thule-wingbar-evo-cross-bars-for-subaru-outback-2020
- https://offroadtents.com/products/thule-wingbar-evo-cross-bars-for-subaru-outback-wilderness
- https://offroadtents.com/products/thule-wingbar-evo-cross-bars-subaru-outback-2015-2019
- https://www.leitnerdesigns.com/products/over-cab-platform-rack-for-subaru-outback
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